Five Days in Paris as a Couple, Based in Vincennes
Day 1: discover Vincennes and the Bois de Vincennes
After arriving, keep the first day local.
Begin with the Château de Vincennes, one of the most remarkable medieval sites around Paris. Its keep, Sainte-Chapelle and fortified walls give Vincennes a strong identity of its own and make it a worthwhile first visit before heading into central Paris.
From the château, continue towards the Bois de Vincennes.
Depending on the season and your energy, walk through the Parc Floral de Paris or simply follow the paths through the Bois for a quieter first afternoon. It is an easy way to shift into holiday mode after travelling.
Later, return towards central Vincennes for a drink or dinner.
A relaxed arrival day could include:
- Château de Vincennes;
- a walk through the Bois de Vincennes;
- Parc Floral de Paris;
- coffee or an aperitif in central Vincennes;
- dinner close to the hotel.
Starting locally also means the first full day in Paris can begin without the fatigue of trying to fit a major sightseeing programme around check-in.
Day 2: Louvre, Palais Royal and the Seine
Take metro line 1 into central Paris and begin around the Louvre.
Rather than trying to see the entire museum, choose the galleries or works that interest you most and give the visit a clear focus.
Afterwards, walk towards the Palais Royal and its arcades. The contrast between the museum, the gardens and the quieter surrounding streets makes this part of Paris particularly pleasant to explore as a couple.
Continue towards the Seine for a walk along the river before lunch or a late afternoon drink.
Depending on how much time you want to spend outdoors, you can then continue towards the Tuileries or cross the river towards Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
A full day can easily include:
- a focused visit to the Louvre;
- Palais Royal;
- lunch nearby;
- Jardin des Tuileries;
- a walk along the Seine;
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés for dinner or drinks.
Return to Vincennes after dinner, or head back earlier and keep the evening local.
Day 3: Île de la Cité, the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain
Use the RER A to reach Châtelet and spend the day walking through the historic centre.
Start around Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame, then follow the Seine towards the Latin Quarter.
This is a day that works particularly well without a rigid schedule.
Walk through the smaller streets around Saint-Michel, stop for coffee or lunch, browse bookshops and continue towards the Jardin du Luxembourg.
From there, cross towards Saint-Germain-des-Prés for the late afternoon.
A relaxed itinerary could include:
- Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité;
- the bouquinistes along the Seine;
- the Latin Quarter;
- Jardin du Luxembourg;
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés;
- dinner or a glass of wine before returning to Vincennes.
The pleasure of this day comes from staying largely on foot and allowing the neighbourhoods to connect naturally.
Day 4: Musée d’Orsay, Rodin and the 7th arrondissement
For a more cultural day, concentrate on the Left Bank.
Start with the Musée d’Orsay and give the collection enough time rather than trying to combine several major museums in one morning.
Afterwards, walk through the 7th arrondissement towards the Musée Rodin.
The sculpture garden offers a particularly pleasant contrast after a longer museum visit and works well as a slower second stop.
From there, continue towards Les Invalides or walk towards the Champ-de-Mars and Eiffel Tower in the late afternoon.
The day can include:
- Musée d’Orsay;
- lunch on the Left Bank;
- Musée Rodin and its gardens;
- Les Invalides;
- Champ-de-Mars;
- an evening walk around the Eiffel Tower.
Returning to Vincennes after sunset also gives the day a clear ending after several hours in central Paris.
Day 5: Le Marais or a final day in Vincennes
Keep the final day more flexible.
If you still want one last central Paris outing, Le Marais is an easy choice. Spend the morning around Place des Vosges, explore the surrounding streets, stop for lunch and allow time for shops, galleries or cafés.
A final Paris day could include:
- Place des Vosges;
- the streets of Le Marais;
- a museum or gallery if you still want a cultural stop;
- lunch and a slower afternoon;
- one last walk along the Seine.
Alternatively, stay in Vincennes if departure arrangements make a central outing less appealing.
Return to the château, spend more time in the Bois de Vincennes or simply enjoy breakfast and a walk through the town centre before leaving.
Keeping the final day open allows the trip to adapt to weather, energy levels and anything you may have missed earlier.
Vincennes as part of the experience
One of the advantages of staying in Vincennes for several nights is that the town does not have to function only as somewhere to sleep.
Its château, green spaces and town centre give couples something different from the more intense pace of central Paris.
After a day spent around the Louvre, Saint-Germain or the Eiffel Tower, returning east creates a natural change of rhythm.
You can spend the evening walking locally, have dinner close to the hotel or simply enjoy a quieter end to the day before heading back into Paris the following morning.
For more ideas around the neighbourhood, the hotel’s Vincennes guide offers further inspiration for exploring the area.
Getting around from Vincennes
Best Western Saint Louis is only a few minutes on foot from Château de Vincennes, the eastern terminus of metro line 1.
Line 1 is particularly convenient for destinations such as the Marais, the Louvre, Palais Royal and the Champs-Élysées.
Vincennes station is also served by the RER A, providing quick access towards Châtelet and other central parts of Paris.
Having both options nearby makes it easy to choose the most direct route depending on the day’s itinerary rather than relying on the same journey every morning.
For early starts, the hotel’s breakfast options include an express takeaway format, useful when you want to leave promptly and make the most of the morning.
Where to stay in Vincennes for a couple’s trip
Located in central Vincennes, Best Western Saint Louis is a four-star hotel with 25 rooms, close to both metro line 1 and the RER A.
Its location makes it easy to spend full days in Paris while returning to a quieter setting in the evening.
All rooms offer air conditioning and fibre WiFi, while travellers looking for additional space can choose the 34 m² Junior Suite with its lounge area.
Couples staying for several nights can explore the different room categories depending on the level of space and comfort they want during the stay.
Reception is open 24 hours, allowing greater flexibility for early departures or later evenings in Paris.
For a five-day couple’s trip, the hotel offers a useful combination: direct access to central Paris, a more relaxed setting at the end of the day, and a neighbourhood worth exploring in its own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vincennes a good place to stay for a couple visiting Paris?
Yes. Vincennes combines direct transport to central Paris with a quieter setting, local restaurants, the Château de Vincennes and the Bois de Vincennes. It works particularly well for couples staying several nights who want to balance sightseeing with calmer evenings.
How long does it take to reach central Paris from Vincennes?
Metro line 1 and the RER A provide direct access to central Paris, making it easy to organise full sightseeing days from Vincennes.
What can couples do in Vincennes itself?
Couples can visit the Château de Vincennes, walk through the Bois de Vincennes and Parc Floral, explore the town centre or stay locally for dinner and drinks after a day in Paris.
Is Best Western Saint Louis suitable for a five-night stay?
Yes. The hotel offers several room categories, fibre WiFi, air conditioning, 24-hour reception and easy access to both line 1 and the RER A.
To choose the room that best suits your stay, explore the rooms at Best Western Saint Louis.
